A/N: Just a short update for TLC shipweeks so it's time for some Cresswell love!
Cress wrung her hands nervously, glancing over the arrangement for the last time. She allowed herself one steadying breath before turning around to face the three people waiting for her.
Kai and Cinder looked mildly curious but that was to be expected. She didn't dare meet Thorne's eyes. She could have called Kai and Cinder and met them on her own but she didn't want to go behind Thorne's back. It wouldn't have felt right.
But she couldn't help it. This what she was here to do. Her reason for being in Los Angeles, she told herself.
"Thank you for meeting me here ... again," she added, referring to Regolith Décor, the store where they had come together just yesterday. It was the only place she knew in L.A. that had any connection to her profession and that she could use for her second presentation.
"I know we already settled on a concept and it's a beautiful, wonderful concept." Thorne's idea had indeed been breath-taking. It would be the perfect arrangement for any wedding but ... this wasn't any wedding. She tried to think of ways to word it so it wouldn't come off as rude though. Thorne wasn't just a competitor, he was friends with Kai and Cinder. "I hope Thorne won't mind me saying this. It's a concept that will work for many couples and many weddings. But ... you didn't ask any old wedding planners to organize your wedding. You"—she made a point to look at Kai and Cinder—"specifically asked your friends to plan your wedding. And I think that's because even though you might not have any idea how to personalize your wedding, you hoped we could find a way."
Even if Cinder and Kai hadn't said so, the way they had both struggled to come up with any ideas of their own, Cress was sure, wasn't due to having too little time or the fact that they weren't interested enough in their own wedding. It was that they simply couldn't imagine a wedding that had only the two of them in mind.
"And I wanted to have the chance to show you a wedding concept that is inspired by you as a couple. It's still okay if you prefer Thorne's idea, "she hurried to say, "but I'd love for you to see something I imagined after getting to know Cinder today."
Cress turned to the table she had arranged. It was already late so the lighting wasn't the best but she had checked before Kai, Cinder and Thorne arrived to make sure that when she turned on the lights it would have the desired effect.
She found the light switch and turned on dozens of LED light strings, illuminating the arrangement Cress had put her heart into: Warm orange hues were set off against a rich green and vibrant teal, creating a colorful spectacle. A few round paper lanterns gave an additional warm glow, highlighting the silky table cloth, shimmering tableware and beautiful centerpiece with the various flowers repeating the color scheme.
She still had some lingering doubts about how much Kai and Cinder would like it. It still missed the sparkle Thorne had mentioned but it was much more impressive than the ideas she had presented yesterday. But she loved how it came together and knew it could be breath-taking as the final concept displayed at Artemisia Hall.
She turned back to Kai and Cinder, seeing their faces smiling at the display and took courage from that. "It's a bit unusual, but when Cinder showed me the pictures from your engagement party and of your parents and grandparents, there was a story there that no one else had and that was your mother's dress." Cress could see the moment it dawned on them where Cress was heading and she couldn't help the smile forming on her lips. "Your grandmother wore that dress to signify her becoming part of your grandfather's family, and the story repeated itself with your parents ... and now you. The colors in that dress are unique and easily recognizable and I thought they should play a pivotal part in the concept. Not only in the decorations but for the bridesmaids and groomsmen's attires too. The bridesmaids could each wear a dress in one of the colors, and their groomsmen corresponding ties."
"In orange, green and blue?" Cinder asked but Thorne huffed.
"Please, that's sunset orange, sea-foam green and teal blue. Know your colors, woman."
Cinder snorted. "How would you even know that?"
"It's my job. I know my colors - from Absolute Zero to Zomp."
"Har-di-har. As if. If you have to invent colors you might as well pick something that actually sounds like a color."
Cress knew that those were actually colors but decided it was time to intervene before they got into another round of Cinder and Thorne's friendly bickering. She continued as if nothing happened. "Sunset orange, sea-foam green and teal blue. It's a more daring color combination but Thorne was right when he said that a venue like Artemisia Hall needed something to fill the room. With the right arrangements, the colors will play off wonderfully of each other, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere — and it will be a color scheme that I can promise you will be unique to your wedding."
"Do you think our guests will make the connection though?" Kai asked. "We know why you picked the colors but I'm not sure they will."
"They will." Cress carefully grabbed the photos she had borrowed from Cinder. "Those pictures will be part of your wedding. I'd suggest to include them in the invitations or the wedding timelines. Because right here, there is a tradition that doesn't have anything to do with culture or religion. It's a tradition that is defined by your family, Kai. A family Cinder will soon belong too." She sent Cinder a quick smile, acknowledging how much that meant to her. "And a tradition you can carry on too as you start your own family."
Kai and Cinder exchanged bashful glances which Cress thought was endearing. There wasn't time to swoon though.
"This is my idea. I know it's vastly different from what you might have planned but this is what I imagine when I think of you. Because you are my friends and I want you to have a wedding that feels like it's only yours and no one else's, but also, one that allows your guests to see who you are and what matters to you." There was so much more Cress wanted to say but suddenly, words failed her. She just wanted to make them happy in the only way she knew how — by giving them the wedding of their dreams. One perfect day to start the rest of their life together.
Now it was time for Kai and Cinder to say what they thought.
But it wasn't Kai or Cinder who spoke first and Cress was surprised as she registered Thorne's words.
"You would be fools not to pick this idea."